Fear of an economic slowdown isn’t putting hiring plans in the IT sector on hold in Silicon Valley north or in other industries across the country for that matter.
According to a recent survey, more than eight out of 10 technology companies based in Ottawa plan to hire in the next six months and 20 per cent said they are planning to add 26 or more new jobs to their firms.
The survey, conducted by Excel Human Resources based in Ottawa, found that only 20 per cent of these firms had adjusted employment plans because of the expected downturn in the economy.
For the majority of firms who will hire, word of mouth will continue to be the favoured recruitment tool, with 80 per cent of companies reporting that they will continue to rely on referral programs. Three-quarters of the companies will use advertising and 70 per cent will consult with a headhunting or recruitment firm.
The hiring spree is not only evident in the IT sector.
Another survey by Manpower Inc., a Mississauga, Ont.-based staffing firm, found the demand for workers in Canada has not decreased since talk of downturns and slowdowns hit the business world.
Of some 1,700 companies surveyed, 33 per cent said they planned to increase hiring — slightly more than last year when 30 per cent said they would be hiring in the same time period.
“There appears to be no erosion from the very solid picture of the past three years,” said Tammy Johns, chair of Canadian Operations for Manpower.
Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey also found that 56 per cent of firms will remain at present levels, with only seven per cent saying they will be cutting back staff.
The mining sector, which is heading into its traditional hiring season, will have the largest increase in hiring with 50 per cent of firms looking to add workers. The construction industry will also see high increases, with 49 per cent of firms set to hire.
The survey did indicate a decline in hiring patterns in the durable goods manufacturing sector, with 28 per cent of firms hiring and 13 per cent set to lay off staff.
According to a recent survey, more than eight out of 10 technology companies based in Ottawa plan to hire in the next six months and 20 per cent said they are planning to add 26 or more new jobs to their firms.
The survey, conducted by Excel Human Resources based in Ottawa, found that only 20 per cent of these firms had adjusted employment plans because of the expected downturn in the economy.
For the majority of firms who will hire, word of mouth will continue to be the favoured recruitment tool, with 80 per cent of companies reporting that they will continue to rely on referral programs. Three-quarters of the companies will use advertising and 70 per cent will consult with a headhunting or recruitment firm.
The hiring spree is not only evident in the IT sector.
Another survey by Manpower Inc., a Mississauga, Ont.-based staffing firm, found the demand for workers in Canada has not decreased since talk of downturns and slowdowns hit the business world.
Of some 1,700 companies surveyed, 33 per cent said they planned to increase hiring — slightly more than last year when 30 per cent said they would be hiring in the same time period.
“There appears to be no erosion from the very solid picture of the past three years,” said Tammy Johns, chair of Canadian Operations for Manpower.
Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey also found that 56 per cent of firms will remain at present levels, with only seven per cent saying they will be cutting back staff.
The mining sector, which is heading into its traditional hiring season, will have the largest increase in hiring with 50 per cent of firms looking to add workers. The construction industry will also see high increases, with 49 per cent of firms set to hire.
The survey did indicate a decline in hiring patterns in the durable goods manufacturing sector, with 28 per cent of firms hiring and 13 per cent set to lay off staff.
